I have just posted similar in the Hotels in BKK thread but thought this would be useful for any Newbies to Thailand hence the new thread here.

Firstly NEVER pay up front for a hotel - always when you leave. Many websites are asking for up-front payment now which you should avoid. If you pay up front you can have problems if you decide to move because you don't like the hotel or decide to change location completely.

Secondly - watch out for the 3% or sometimes even 5% they try to add on if you pay by credit card. It is illegal to add this surcharge in Thailand but of course they do have to pay the CC company so they use it to try to get you to pay cash. If you are asked for this just refuse to pay it. If necessary tell them you will call the tourist police - best avoided if you want to go back again. Just be firm - its a total scam and you do NOT have topay. If they "advertise" that they accept credit cards then they must accept your offer of payment WITHOUT adding the surcharge.

A little argument shouldn't spoil the holiday if you remember to pay when you LEAVE.

Some hotels have also been found to be scanning and cloning cards then charging loads of goods to them.

My friend had his card cloned and charged to a company in Australia and within 1 week I had the same thing happen to me. I personally would recommend not using a card in LOS at all, if you can avoid it.

Well i have just booked a room at Sabai Inn and they wanted my credit card details in order to reserve the room for me.What else are you supposed to do if you want to stay at their hotel?

Good point, unlike the previous 2 posters who are lucky enough to live in Thailand, there is nothing you can do if you want to be guarantee a room!

But whitespiders point about the 3-5 % service charge is a good one, I've had it tried on me several times in Bangkok, Phuket but never Pattaya.

Be carefull of these also mind.In most(not all)cases you have to pay 100% upfront,and if the hotel is shit and you want to move or indeed have to cancel then there is a good chance you won't get your money back.
I am in credit with these people to the tune of 22.5k baht and they tried to get me to use it on some shitty hotel in Jomtien.I told them i don't want to stay there and they said they have to clear their records before the end of the year.So i said no problem,give me a refund.Having looked at their forum though there are a lot of people who have not had any money back of them.

It would be a good idea to stay there :closedeyes: makes the rest of pattaya a little safer

Personally - I would NEVER use a credit card in Thailand - period

I have been asked to provide them to book the room and just told them NO - if they want my business they will just have to take my reservation without a CC - or I will look elsewhere. Never had to look elsewhere.

but still...Credit card fraud is rampant in Thailand - even at the finest of hotels.

I only use cash and DEBIT card at ATM

my 2 Baht

I feel I shoudl clarify something that seems to be misunderstood.

I am NOT saying dont give your CC details when making a booking - that is normal to stop you cancelling or doing a runner later from the hotel.

(Upenas point re using CC at all is valid but not my point).

I was merely saying dont pay for the entire booking in advance - some websites an hotels are trying to do this.

Cheeky boy ,are you afraid i'm going to do your women before you get there Dale :

i booked with the sabai lodge over the net and gave them my credit card for the first two days costs which is a not too bad 4500 baht for a dolphin pool cottage.

will make my decision when i leave whether to use the credit card or cash for final payment.

i was reluctant to pay using my card
did an internetr booking a month ago and no hassles
does anyone have experiences - good or bad - with shopping in [reputable] shops in malls in Patt

and how easy is it to get travellers checks changed?
are there beaureus all over the place?